Mr Croydon’s Senior School Blog 16th June 2017

Absolutely no question about having been blessed with good weather this week, and I know this was the weather Mr Dowson was hoping for, given that Senior Sports Day was scheduled for Wednesday. Junior and Prep Sports Day have also taken place this week, and naturally I am pleased that they benefited from equally good weather. The competitive atmosphere within House pens was the best I have seen for a while, not only did pupils support their House peers on the side lines, but there were also shows of real support for peers on the track, with pupils helping one another across the finishing line – enough to make anyone proud.

Some could be forgiven for thinking that with Sports Day complete, the PE department will have less to organise, but this is most definitely not so and there is still plenty taking place on the sporting front. On Thursday afternoon of this week we sent a team of under 13 cricketers to a fixture against Gosfield School. A superb result I understand having asked Mr Dowson for post-match analysis – well done to all involved. Then looking ahead to next week, on Monday morning Mr Dowson and Mrs Pearce have an early start as they journey to Birmingham for the National ISA Athletics, accompanied by a group of pupils from Years 5 – 9 who are competing to be national medallists.

Elsewhere within the school this week, the Year 11 and 13 public examinations continue. There are still a number of exams over the next few weeks, though for some Year 11 pupils, the Additional Science Physics paper this morning signals the end of the exam season – well done to those pupils for persevering, I know we all look forward to seeing the results published. Good luck to those who still have papers outstanding.

I know I mentioned the PGL trip last week which, by all accounts was going well, this week however, I have the confirmation that it was a huge success, with a number of anecdotes being shared.

Trips of course have also taken place this week too. Mr Rayner took a few Year 10 GCSE PE students to London to support the final of the disability sports competition. Meanwhile, Mr Praite and some colleagues from the Humanities Faculty took Year 10 geography students to Walton-on-the-Naze to investigate the differences between managed and unmanaged coastlines – the first of two trips to complete compulsory fieldwork for their paper 3 exam next year. The second trip will be to the Hythe in Colchester, which they can look forward to next Tuesday.

Monday morning was an opportunity for House meetings with a focus on preparing for the upcoming Sports Day. Whereas Tuesday morning was an opportunity for Mr Conway’s form group to give their take on what friendship means, what constitutes a friendship online and the need for personal safety online. It was great to see these important issues addressed from the pupils’ perspective.

Yesterday I stopped to observe part of a Year 8 English lesson where pupils were working in groups under the guidance of Mrs Candler, in order to develop a short scene depicting part of ‘Of Mice and Men’. The scene I stopped to watch was that of Curley entering the bunkhouse and the conversation which ensued. Not only had pupils taken on specific roles, but peer review was welcomed and provided some insightful comments.

Looking ahead to next week, on Wednesday the marquee is being erected on the playground in preparation for the Summer Concert on Thursday, for which the Music departmental staff and performers have spent a lot of time preparing. The marquee will then remain on the playground for the all-important summer fete on Friday – a major fundraising event organised by the CHSA. Hopefully you have all bought your raffle tickets or lucky dip fete programmes already.

The weather looks set to hold over the weekend at the very least, so apply the sun tan lotion to keep safe in the sun, and have a great time. Best wishes.